Outdoor Physical Activity Research Articles

Parental perspectives of early adolescent neighbourhood outdoor play and physical activity: barriers and facilitators

Introduction: Outdoor neighbourhood play supports physiological and psychological health among early adolescents (EA), typically aged 10-14. Existing research is often grounded in socioecological theory emphasising the interconnectedness of individuals and their environments. It has also typically focused on parental perspectives of facilitators and barriers of neighbourhood play in younger children. Aims: This study aimed to ascertain facilitators and barriers of outdoor neighbourhood play as perceived by EA parents. Methods: A purposive sample (n=11) of parents engaged in individual semi-structured interviews online via Microsoft Teams. Transcripts underwent reflexive inductive thematic analysis, identifying six themes aligned with the research question within a socioecological framework. Results: Most parents (n=10) demonstrated an awareness and appreciation of the advantages of outdoor neighbourhood play. They identified barriers and facilitators to outdoor neighbourhood play across intrapersonal, interpersonal, community and policy levels. Safety concerns emerged as a barrier to outdoor play. However, technology mediated reported concerns and was perceived as a facilitator to outdoor play when combined with age-appropriate community clubs and improved built environment facilities. Conclusion: Parents acknowledged the advantages of outdoor neighbourhood play. Parents may restrict their EA’s participation due to safety concerns. The study highlighted a deficiency in age-appropriate facilities supporting safe outdoor neighbourhood play. Future research should focus on developing appropriate facilities and improving social cohesion to mitigate perceived safety concerns of parents. Such attempts may benefit from using technology to assuage parental safety concerns further and enhance overall safety of neighbourhood outdoor play experiences for EA.

Green2Gold: Piloting ‘Team GB Family Activity Trails’ as a green exercise project for improving wellbeing and outdoor physical activity engagement in the East Riding of Yorkshire

Systematic review evidence suggests that participation in green exercise (GE; Coventry et al., 2021, SSM-Population Health, 16, 100934) including walking (Hanson and Jones, 2015, Brit J Sports Med, 49, 710-715) can positively impact health and wellbeing. The aim of the project, titled ‘Green2Gold’, was to collaborate with The British Olympic Association to co-create ‘Team GB Family Activity Trails’, a novel GE intervention, in two locations. Signposts were installed along the walking routes containing co-designed activities linked to Olympic sports, physical activity (PA), and nature. Each signpost contained a unique QR code to provide users with additional PA and education opportunities on the project’s website. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of trail engagement on health, wellbeing, and physical activity outcomes. An a priori power analysis (G*Power 3.1) using small effect sizes suggested a sample size of at least 34 participants. With institutional ethical approval, 37 participants age 5+ were recruited to test the trails three times within a six-week period, using a within-subjects repeated-measures experimental design. Pre- and post-intervention changes in perceived health, mental wellbeing, and PA and nature engagement were collected and analysed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Additional post-intervention feedback on enjoyment, motivators, and barriers were collected, with frequencies and crosstabulations calculated. In-the-moment changes in perceived health, mental wellbeing, and enjoyment were measured before and after each walk and compared using two-way repeated measures ANOVAs. Analyses were conducted using JASP software (v18.1). Single-item scores for general health (P < .001), measures of mental health (P = 0.006 to 0.015), and number of days engaging in nature (P = .004) improved for both adults and children. Furthermore, significant pre-to-post intervention improvements in the perceived value of exercise and being outdoors (P = 0.015 to 0.031) and the number of days walking per week (P = 0.034) were reported for adults, with children demonstrating significantly improved future PA intention (P = .043). Overall, a significant effect of ‘Time’ was present for measures of perceived physical and mental health, fitness, nature connection, and feelings of inspiration (P < 0.05) when assessed from pre-to-post walk on three occasions. No significant effect for ‘Walk*Time’ was present. The study provides preliminary evidence to support ‘Activity Trails’ endorsed by a well-recognised sporting body, such as an Olympic Association, as a free, self-directed activity to elicit positive perceived health, mental wellbeing, and nature engagement outcomes at a community level, with potential scalability options to other greenspaces in the UK.

Assessment of Vitamin D Status, its Determinants and Relationship with Bone Health in Indian Children and Young Adults with Type-1 Diabetes.

Recent evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency and type-1 diabetes (T1D) have a bidirectional cause-effect relationship. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence and determinants of vitamin D deficiency in Indian children and young adults with T1D and assess the relationship between vitamin D status and their bone health. It was a single-centre, cross-sectional study. Inclusion: Children, young adults aged 5-25 years with T1D duration >1 year. Exclusion: Already on vitamin D supplementation, conditions affecting bone health. Data collected: Demographic, clinical, anthropometry, biochemical, body composition, DXA, pQCT measurements. A total of 453 participants (251 girls) with T1D, mean age = 13.5 ± 4.0 years, disease duration = 5.7 ± 3.9 years. Mean 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration of study group was 20.4 ± 11.3 ng/mL. One hundred and eleven (24.5%) were deficient in 25-hydroxy vitamin D, 141 (31.1%) were insufficient and 201 (44.4%) were sufficient. 25-Hydroxy vitamin D concentrations had significant negative correlation with BMI Z-score, diastolic blood pressure, fat percentage Z-score and positive correlation with physical activity, haemoglobin concentrations and trabecular density (P < 0.05). Risk of developing vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was significantly lower in subjects with good/intermediate glycaemic control versus poor control (P = 0.008). Higher diastolic blood pressure and female gender were significant risk factors for development of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency has high prevalence in children and youth with T1D and has detrimental effect on bone geometry of these subjects. Weight reduction increased outdoor physical activity, good glycemic control are some modifiable factors that may prove useful in preventing vitamin D deficiency.

Moderating Effect of Daylight Exposure on the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Sleep in Patients with Upper Digestive Cancer: An Exploratory Study

ObjectivesTo examine the moderating effect of daylight exposure on physical activity and objective sleep quality, using wearable actigraph devices. MethodsWe recruited 324 patients with either gastric or esophageal cancer. Actigraphs were used to measure all objective data including daylight exposure, physical activity, and sleep quality. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationships among demographic data, disease attributes, physical activity, daylight exposure, and sleep. The Hayes PROCESS macro with the regression bootstrapping method was employed to analyze the moderating effect of daylight exposure on the relationship between physical activity and sleep. ResultsSleep efficiency correlated positively with physical activity, while “wake after sleep onset” correlated negatively with physical activity and mean lux. Mean lux and light >500 lux significantly moderated the association between physical activity and sleep efficiency (P = .002 in both cases). Similarly, mean lux and light >500 lux significantly moderated the association between physical activity and “wake after sleep onset” (P = .002 and .001, respectively). ConclusionBoth average daylight exposure and time of exposure to >500 lux act as moderators of physical activity and objective sleep quality in patients with gastric or esophageal cancer. Healthcare practitioners should encourage patients with cancer to engage in daily outdoor physical activity. Further intervention studies are needed to verify the combined effect of daytime light exposure and physical activity on improving sleep quality. Implications for Nursing PracticeHealthcare practitioners should encourage patients with cancer to engage in daily outdoor physical activity. Further intervention studies are needed to verify the combined effect of daytime light exposure and physical activity on improving sleep quality.

Dust Pollution in Urban Areas: Current Trends and Implications for Human Health and Outdoor Physical Activities

Dust Pollution in Urban Areas: Current Trends and Implications for Human Health and Outdoor Physical Activities

Internet Usage and its Addiction among School-going Adolescents in an Urban District of India

Abstract Introduction: Internet addiction is inability to control the use of internet, leading to physical, psychological or social difficulties. Materials and Methods: A school based study was conducted among adolescents of urban Rohtak, Haryana, using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire and Young’s Internet Addiction test. Results: Out of 600 participants, 44.17% were female. This study showed widespread internet use among adolescents (86%). The main purpose of internet use was entertainment (95%). The estimated prevalence of internet addiction was high (66.86%). Internet addiction was higher among males (P = 0.001). Conclusion: There is a need to counsel children regarding the appropriate use of internet and balancing the time between internet surfing, studies and outdoor physical activities.

Thermal and cardiovascular heat adaptations in active adolescents following summer

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate seasonal heat acclimatization in active adolescents following summer. Fifteen (5 females) active adolescents (14.6 ± 1.0 y) completed a 45-min heat response test (HRT) walking at 60% V ˙ O2peak in 40°C and 30% relative humidity before and after summer (i.e. November 2022 and March 2023). During the HRT, gastro-intestinal temperature (Tgi), skin temperature (Tsk), heart rate, local sweat rate (LSR) and whole-body sweat loss (WBSL) were recorded. Carbon monoxide rebreathing and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans determined resting hematological measures and body composition. Participants completed physical activity (PA) diaries and wore an accelerometer for two one-week periods (pre- and post-summer). Daytime wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was calculated for each summer day. Data are presented as posterior mean and 90% credible intervals. Participants reported 7 ± 4 h·wk−1 of outdoor PA, and daytime WBGT was 21.2 ± 4.6°C. Following summer, resting Tgi and heart rate were reduced by 0.2°C [−0.3, −0.1; probability of direction = 99%] and 7 beats·min−1 [−10, −3; 100%], respectively. During the HRT, there was an earlier onset of sweating (−0.2°C [−0.3, −0.0; 98%]), an attenuated rise of Tgi (0.2°C [−0.5, 0.0; 92%]) and mean Tsk changed by −0.2°C [−0.5, 0.1; 86%]. There was minimal evidence for heat adaptations in LSR or WBSL, hematological parameters or perceptual measures. This is the first study to demonstrate seasonal heat adaptations in active adolescents. Reductions in resting Tgi and exercising Tsk and a lower Tgi at the onset of sweating were associated with a smaller rise in Tgi during the HRT following summer.

Digital platforms to facilitate physical activities for people with physical or sensory disabilities: A scoping review

BackgroundPeople with disabilities (PWD) commonly experience difficulties in accessing their environments, which can lead to restricted participation in outdoor leisure-time physical activity. Participating in outdoor leisure-time physical activity (OLTPA) provides health and social benefits to PWD and benefits to the communities in which they live. ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to identify features existing in digital platforms that facilitate access to OLTPA for PWD. MethodsA scoping review was conducted in four library databases and in Google advance search to identify relevant scientific and grey literature, and websites. Each step of the review was independently conducted by two co-authors who confirmed consensus of results. Descriptive data analyses were performed. ResultsSeven scientific studies and ten websites were included in the scoping review. Seven presented mobile apps, nine presented a website and one presented an online database. Sources reported five main obstacles to using digital platforms that support access to physical activities (e.g., lack of digital literacy, technical issues, unintuitive design), and 10 facilitators (e.g., possibility to personalize your online space, accessibility features of the navigation). Among these sources, a trend emerged in the most important factors and features to consider for the visuals and navigation of the platforms. ConclusionThe features of digital platforms that facilitate access to OLTPA include intuitive design compliant with accessibility guidelines and supported by navigation tools, personalization of the online space, and features for social interactions.

School Closures and the Impact on Screen Time and Behavior during the Pandemic

Objective: The objective of the study is to examine the impact of school closures on recreational screen time, emotional, and behavioral functioning of school-going children and adolescents during the imposition of social containment measures and school closure in India. Methodology: The survey utilized a Google Form that was sent to parents of children aged 6–14 years through e-mails and social media platforms. Parents were asked to report on the child’s duration of recreational screen time and whether the child’s overall behavioral functioning had changed since the school closures. The child’s emotional and behavioral functioning was assessed by the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The scores on the SDQ and screen time use were compared by overall parental behavioral rating to identify the areas of concerns for children whose functioning was reported to have worsened after the closing of schools. Results: The mean recreational screen time was reported to be 2.65 h (standard deviation = 1.89). A significantly higher proportion of children whose behavior worsened after school closures, relative to those who improved or were same, had scores in the abnormal range of functioning on three of the subscales of SDQ including emotional problems (χ ² = 29.03, P = 0.0001), hyperactivity/inattention (χ² = 24.67, P = 0.0001), conduct problems (χ² = 22.01, P = 0.0001), and overall total SDQ score (χ² = 41.20, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Interventions should be aimed at encouraging outdoor physical activity while respecting government restrictions, healthy routines, pursuing hobbies, and promoting responsible use of electronic devices during the pandemic and crisis recovery period.

Supply and demand assessment of physical activity services provided by urban green spaces: A case study of Chongqing, China

Urban green spaces (UGSs) serve as preferred venues for residents' outdoor physical activities (PAs). However, limited research explores the supply and demand match of physical activity services. This study aims to introduce a novel multi-dimensional framework to map the supply and demand of PA services in UGSs. This framework involves evaluating UGS supply from capacity, quality, and accessibility dimensions, mapping the demand for PA services from visiting frequency and duration based on massive trajectories, and then assessing supply-demand matches of PA services by spatial clustering analysis. The findings revealed distinct spatial imbalances in the supply and demand of PA services in the case of Chongqing, as indicated by 45.34% of surveyed blocks with mismatches. PA services exhibited spatial heterogeneity, with undersupply in the urban center and oversupply in the suburbs. The demand for jogging and walking peaked highest in certain periods, such as morning and evening peaks, intensifying the undersupply issue. This study provides insights for exploring the PA services of UGSs and offers valuable implications for UGS planning and management.

The Effect of Outdoor Play, Physical Activity, and Screen Time Use on the Emotional Wellbeing of Children and Youth during a Health Crisis

Long-standing research has highlighted the critical role of physical and outdoor activities for children’s health and wellbeing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, children around the world experienced heightened stress and poor mental health, which coincided with a decrease in active play and increase in screen-based activities. This study examined how physical, outdoor, and screen-based activities impacted emotional wellbeing during the post-lockdown period of COVID-19. Caregiver proxy report of children’s activities and emotional wellbeing was collected from 190 caregivers through an online survey in February-April 2021. Overall, we observed low levels of physical and outdoor activities and high levels of screen activities in children, especially those aged 5 and older. Unadjusted models suggested that time spent in physical activity and online socializing predicted child wellbeing positively and negatively, respectively. However, only child age, parent-child co-play, parent stress, and family life satisfaction emerged as significant predictors of child wellbeing in the fully adjusted model. The findings facilitate a deeper understanding of children and youth’s outdoor engagement during the pandemic and highlight the critical role of parents and families in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing and healthy recreation under sustained stress and disruption.

TIDAL: exploring the potential of data physicalization-based interactive environment on runners' motivation

Representing fitness-related data physically can better help people gain awareness and reflect on their physical activity behavior. However, there has been limited research conducted on the impact of physicalizing personal data in a public context, particularly regarding its effect on motivations for physical activity. Augmenting the physical environment with interactive technology holds great promise in facilitating outdoor physical activity. To explore the design space of data physicalization-based interactive environments, we created TIDAL, a design concept that provides physical rewards in the form of tiles on the road to acknowledge runners’ goal achievements. We created a video prototype as a probe to gather insights through semi-structured interviews with six recreational runners to evaluate TIDAL. The co-constructing stories method, a participatory design technique, was employed during these interviews to facilitate qualitative evaluation. The results of our study showed that TIDAL has the potential to increase runners’ motivation. We reported the key insights derived from participants’ feedback and co-constructed stories and discussed the broader implications of our work.

Integrating space syntax and CPTED in assessing outdoor physical activity

AbstractThe relationship between the spatial configuration of the built environment and outdoor physical activity is supported in the literature. However, the role of crime prevention elements and safety is neglected in that relationship. Using structural equation modelling and considering the effect of demographic factors, this study combined concepts of space syntax for analysis of spatial configuration and Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) at property and street scales to investigate the direct and indirect relationships between neighbourhoods’ environments and levels of outdoor physical activity. The theoretical purposes have been to measure CPTED elements in two scales and each as a second‐order construct and to gauge pedestrians’ feeling of safety as mediators in the relationship between space syntax measures and physical activity. The results of structural equation modelling suggest that streets’ CPTED elements mediate the relationship between space syntax measures and feelings of safety. The mediation role of feelings of safety in the relationship between CPTED at the street scale and physical activity is also supported. Thus, the study shows that space syntax measures cannot be considered in relation to physical activity without also thinking about its consequent effects on neighbourhoods’ physical environments andalso provides novel insights into the effects of demographic variables on outdoor physical activity.

Emerging concern on air pollution and health: Trade-off between air pollution exposure and physical activity

Air pollution is a major contributor to the global disease burden, especially affecting respiratory and cardiovascular health. However, physical activity is associated with improved lung function, a slower decline in lung function, and lower mortality. The public is more likely to be exposed to air pollution during outdoor physical activity. However, studies on how long-term and short-term exposure to air pollution interacts with physical activity yield inconsistent results, and the thresholds for air pollution and physical activity remain unclear. Thus, more studies are needed to provide sufficient evidence to guide the public to safely engage in outdoor physical activity when exposed to air pollution.

Project nature: promoting outdoor physical activity in children via primary care

BackgroundFamilies face a range of barriers in supporting their children’s active play in nature including family circumstances, environmental constraints, and behavioral factors. Evidence-based strategies to address these barriers are needed. We aimed to develop and pilot test a primary care-based family-centered behavioral intervention to promote active outdoor play in 4–10 year-old children.MethodsProject Nature, a provider-delivered intervention that provides informational resources and an age-appropriate toy for nature play, was initially developed for children ages 0–3. With stakeholder input, we adapted existing materials for 4–10 year-olds and conducted usability testing at an urban clinic serving families from diverse backgrounds. Subsequently, we conducted a mix-methods pilot study to evaluate intervention feasibility and acceptability. Parents of 4–10 year-olds completed pre- and post-surveys (n = 22), and a purposive subset (n = 10) completed qualitative interviews. Post-intervention, pediatric providers (n = 4) were interviewed about their implementation experiences.ResultsThe majority (82%) of parents liked the information provided and the remaining (18%) were neutral. Qualitatively, parents reported that: the toy provided a tangible element to help children and parents be active, they did not use the website, and they wished the intervention emphasized strategies for physical activity during cold and wet seasons. Providers felt the materials facilitated discussion about behavior change with families. There were no statistically significant changes in PA and outdoor time pre- and post-intervention.ConclusionsProject Nature was welcomed by providers and families and may be a practical intervention to promote outdoor active play during well-child visits. Providing an age-appropriate nature toy seemed to be a critical component of the intervention, and may be worth the additional cost, time and storage space required by clinics. Building from these results, Project Nature should be revised to better support active outdoor play during suboptimal weather and evaluated to test its efficacy in a fully-powered trial.

Vitamin D deficiency during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among healthcare workers

Vitamin D deficiency is a common nutritional problem worldwide that may have worsened during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The present study sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency among healthcare workers three years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants comprised 2543 staff members from a medical research institute, who completed a questionnaire and donated blood samples in June 2023. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval while adjusting for covariates. The proportions of participants with vitamin D insufficiency (25[OH]D 20-29ng/mL) and deficiency (25[OH]D<20ng/mL) were 44.9% and 45.9%, respectively. In a multivariable-adjusted model, factors associated with a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency included younger age, female sex, fewer hours of daytime outdoor physical activity during leisure time (without regular use of sunscreen), lower intake of fatty fish, no use of vitamin D supplements, smoking, and no alcohol consumption. Occupational factors, including shift work, were not independently associated with vitamin D deficiency. Our results suggest that vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency are highly prevalent among healthcare workers. Health education regarding lifestyle modifications for this occupational group are warranted to improve their vitamin D status in the COVID-19 era.

Effectiveness of a Web-Guided Self-Managed Telerehabilitation Program Enhanced with Outdoor Physical Activity on Physical Function, Physical Activity Levels and Pain in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Telerehabilitation to guide self-management has been shown to be a feasible care strategy for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a blended web-based rehabilitation program enhanced with outdoor physical activity (BWR-OPA) and consultation versus an OPA (usual care) program in KOA patients. Methods: Forty-four KOA participants were prescribed to follow the programs five times/week for 6 weeks. The primary outcome was self-reported physical function, measured by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). The secondary outcomes were pain, PA, function (timed up-and-go (TUG) test, 30 s chair rise test (30 s CRT)), psychological functioning and QoL. Results: There was a significant difference between the groups' KOOSs for pain and symptom subscales at the 6- and 12-week post-intervention assessments compared to baseline (p < 0.005) favoring the BWR-OPA group. There was a superior improvement in PA in the BWR-OPA training group (p < 0.05). Statistical and clinical improvements were found (p < 0.001) with effect sizes over 2.0 for objective measures of function. Similar improvements were recorded over time (p < 0.005) at 12 weeks for QoL, KOOS subscales for ADL, QoL and sports/recreation and psychological functioning for both groups. Conclusions: A blended web-based self-managed care program with outdoor PA was superior in many respects to usual care in KOA participants.

First report card on physical activity for children and adolescents in Slovakia: a comprehensive analysis, international comparison, and identification of surveillance gaps

BackgroundNational surveillance of physical activity (PA) is essential to establish public health policy actions for PA promotion and evaluation, thereby promoting accountability. The main goal of this study is to comprehensively analyse surveillance data on PA behaviours, outcomes, and influencing factors among Slovakian children and adolescents by using the methodology of the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Global Matrix (AHKGA-GM) project. Secondary goals are to provide comparisons with international data and the identification of surveillance gaps.MethodsA comprehensive multilevel search strategy for data about 10 core indicators and 1 additional indicator published between 2015 and 2020 (solely pre-COVID-19-pandemic data) was used. The data were then synthesised, and a set of standardised benchmarks was used to assign grades according to The Global Matrix 4.0 Grading Rubric.ResultsA total of 552 potentially relevant data resources were retrieved, of which 34 were identified as eligible for data extraction. Grade B was assigned to four core indicators, grade C to five core indicators, and grade D to one core indicator. The additional Sleep indicator was graded a C–. Compared with the average grades from countries with high Human Development Index scores, Slovakia received higher grades in five core indicators (Overall Physical Activity, Active Transportation, Sedentary Behaviours, School, Government), and in the aggregate Behavioural average and Overall average. Compared with global averages, Slovakia had higher grades in the aforementioned core and aggregate indicators, and in the Community and Environment core indicator and aggregate Sources of Influence average indicator. Numerous surveillance gaps were identified.ConclusionsThe overall grading of the available surveillance data suggests the need for improvement in all 10 surveilled core indicators, and in additional Sleep indicator. Despite the fact that numerous identified surveillance gaps limit the overall informative value of the current grade, they provide the important information needed to enhance surveillance of PA-related indicators in Slovakia. For instance, the focus should be put on younger children and parents, on obtaining the device-measured data on various movement behaviours, on the topic of outdoor physical activities, and policy evaluation.

Myopia: Its Status and Environmental Correlations Among School Students in Fushun, China.

Our objective was to investigate the status and influence of myopia among primary school students in Fushun, Liaoning Province, China. We aimed to provide a theoretical and epistemological basis for implementing myopia prevention initiatives. We employed cluster sampling and surveyed 5216 primary school students from grades 1-6 across eight primary schools in Fushun City. Our participants included 2606 males and 2610 females whose average age was 9.25 (SD = 1.76) years. The rate of myopia among these primary school students was 29.54%, with statistically significant differences among students of different genders and grades. Logistic regression analysis further identified several possible protective factors, including appropriate reading distance, adequate home lighting, regular breaks between classes, conscientious eye exercises, and daily outdoor physical activity. Conversely, the associated risk factors were being female, being in a higher grade level, spending more than 4hours on homework, occasionally reading while lying down, and having one or both parents with myopia. Overall, our results indicated a high incidence of myopia, highlighting the need for scientifically controlled interventions to manage and mitigate the occurrence and progression of myopia in this population.

Community and Organizational Readiness to Adopt a Physical Activity Intervention in Micropolitan Settings.

Assessing community and organizational readiness is key to successfully implementing programs. The purpose of this study was to assess the baseline readiness of micropolitan communities to adopt an evidence-based physical activity (PA) intervention by exploring three dimensions: (1) attitudes and current efforts toward prevention, (2) community and organizational climate that facilitates (or impedes) change, and (3) capacity to implement change. Data were collected from community leaders in 14 communities through an online survey in June 2021 (n = 149). Data were analyzed in aggregate using descriptive statistics for multiple-choice responses and content analysis for open ended responses. One-way repeated analyses of variance were used to compare mean score differences. In reference to their attitudes prior to the pandemic, respondents said that addressing PA was "somewhat a priority" in their professional positions (M = 2.01, SD = 0.94), their organizations (M = 2.08, SD = 0.91), and their communities (M = 2.28, SD = 0.88). Current PA efforts included statewide initiatives, community sponsored events/clubs, and youth sports leagues. The community climate included both PA facilitators (mainly outdoor PA resources) and barriers (cost, lack of social services, and an unsupportive PA environment). Individual-level capacity (M = 2.94; SD = 1.21) to adopt a PA program was regarded lower than the community's capacity (M = 3.95; SD = 0.82), and perceptions of capacity at the community level improved even more if technical assistance (M = 3.96; SD = 0.84) or financial support (M = 4.12; SD = 0.80) were provided. Readiness varied by dimension, suggesting the need for tailored implementation supports including technical assistance and financial support.